Bible News: Times of Renewal | Part 1

The doors were marked with a sign that looked like a fish after the death of Jesus Christ to identify the house of Christians. But it wasn’t a fish, it’s called Ichthys, it’s Greek and an acronym which translate  ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour’.

You see, back then, Christians could not practise openly because they were being persecuted. So they used the code for identity. 

When the day of Pentecost fully came however, a timid Peter who had denied Jesus so as to save himself from being persecuted boldly preached the Gospel openly. 3,000 souls were won that day! 

Apparently, Peter and the rest of the disciples must have been praying and fasting in the upper room before the day of Pentecost fully came.

The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus to inquire why His disciples were not fasting when everyone was. Jesus told them because he was with them but the days will come when they will fast. (Matt 9:14-15).

Have you ever been in a situation where everything just seem to align? You felt the visible presence of God. It was as if God was focusing on only you. Then, suddenly, you could not feel that presence again. Everything seems to be going wrong, you have prayed but it felt as though God was focusing on someone else. 

God is always there, the issue is that He is calling you into a greater walk with Him. We as humans seem to relax when things begin to go our way. We want to bask in the euphoria of the present success and remain there. We even go on social media and begin to reward ourselves with slangs such as “I DESERVE AN ACCOLADE”, but with God, every success in His will is a call to greater assignment. So He cannot afford for you to become slothful in dealings, hence the uncomfortable experience. 

The times when we don’t feel this presence as we once did is supposed to prompt us into the new. God is done with the old you, he has some new wine but he will not pour it into the old you. That is, the level you were, where you felt comfortable and wanted to pitch your tent is already expired, God is ready to take you higher but He needs you to renew yourself. 

This is similar to the experience of Peter and the rest of the disciples who were in the upper room fasting and praying till the day of Pentecost fully came. The result was outstanding – 3,000 souls added to the disciples – but first, they had to endure the hardship of the death and absence of Jesus. 

How does one renew oneself in moments like this? We will pick this up next time. 

Prayer Guide 

Every thing in my life that cannot stand the test of fire be consumed and destroyed in Jesus name! (1 Cor 3:13/2 Tim 2:20)

Lord you are my redeemer. Send your word, send your Spirit! Renew my days! Let me experience the joy of your presence again! Job 19:25-27

– Written by Alex Amos